Tag Archives: Keyway

The 4 Spot Keyway Rebounding Drill sets up a very specific scenario with regards to the game of basketball. The 4 Spot Keyway Rebounding Drill focuses on the interior confinement of the keyway as the staging area for a close contact rebounding activity. This is the strength behind the drill, it focuses on making the players involved in defending work very hard to start and secure possession.

If a team is struggling with their defensive rebounding assignments then the 4 Spot Keyway Rebounding Drill might be just the drill to help with this type of issue. The limited space for movement involved in the drill means those players looking to box out, need to work very hard in quickly stopping the offensive rebounders momentum, and then securing space between the basketball hoop and themselves. It is this gap that if large enough improves the percentages in favour of the defender securing the rebound time and time again.

Once contact has been made and the offensive players path to the basketball hoop has been sealed off, the defender must keep up contact and attempt to move the offensive player away from the basketball hoop. It is this last stage in the sequence that will bring the most reward for the defender, with the limited space the box-out must include an action that increases the possible drop area for the ball to fall into.

The 4 Spot Keyway Rebounding Drill starts with four players inside the keyway acting as the defenders. Opposite these players on the outside edge of the keyway are four alternative players acting as offensive rebounders.

Diagram 1: 4 Spot Keyway Rebounding Drill

The coach or another player starts with the basketball and places themselves at the top of the keyway. The coach initiates the starting sequence for the drill by asking players to assume a defensive stance (Verbal Cue: Stance), Pitter Patter (Verbal Cue: Patter) and then finally instruct the defenders to rotate in a clock wise direction (Verbal Cue: Rotate). Once the coach is happy with the movement they can then shoot. The players then perform the technique of the box-out. A verbal cue of “Shot” can be called by the coach initially to trigger players into action for the contest.

Points of Emphasis

The most important technique practiced in the 4 Spot Keyway Rebounding Drill is the boxing-out sequence of Hit, Seal and Bury. While the overall technique is utilised, the drill rewards those defensive players that work hardest to bury their player away from the basketball hoop and ultimately space within the keyway.

Variation

There are a number of different variations that can be undertaken within the 4 Spot Keyway Rebounding Drill. One option is to have the coach add in a verbal cue to reverse the rotation of the players so they have to be listening as well as able to spring into action. This can be simply put into action by the coach calling out “Reverse”.

Another option is for the coach to refrain from calling out “shot” when the ball is being put into play for the rebounding contest. This will force the defensive players to maintain better visual contact with the ball. Defenders can then communicate with each other by calling out “Shot” when the ball is live or in play.

An additional change to the drill can be simply varying where the ball is shot from. The coach or designated player shooting the ball can move around the three-point line to offer different angles for players to compete for.

Overall this drill works on close contact and limited space while focusing on the technique of rebounding.

A Baseline Out of Bounds situation can be very challenging to defend and one strategy to limit the options available to an offensive team is to employ a Zone Defence. A zone defence brings a number of positives to a team’s defensive orientation in the half court. Some of these benefits can carry over to out-of-bounds scenarios. The effectiveness however of a zone defence is underpinned, like all defences, on the team’s ability to implement the defensive principles to their most effective end. Without every player on the floor participating and playing their part, a zone defence will still be ineffective just as much as any other defence.

Simplicity

Either in a Zone Defence or Man-to-Man; The player guarding the inbounder should position themselves so they are in between the passer the basket. By doing this they make a lob our pass into the keyway harder to execute (Photo Source: Jeramey Jannene)

For defensive sides struggling to maintain good spacing and marking during an inbounding situation a zone defence can be a good alternative. Because a zone defence allocates certain positions on the court as well as giving very specific roles to each player. Each individual is more likely able to perform their expected role to a higher level of competence. The free-flowing nature of man-to-man defence can sometimes confuse players especially against tactical elements like screen the screener and players screening to get free. Utilising a zone defence takes away some of this uncertainty against a baseline situation and plants defenders into specific roles.

Less Moving Parts

A zone defence by its nature as described above has less movement because defensive players are reacting to activity in their area, not just simply the individual player movement of whom they are matched up against. Less movement by individual defenders should see an improvement in vision (provided players are still maintaining lines of sight), reaction time (provided players are in a ready stance) and decision-making. If this is not the case, and a team’s zone defence is still ineffective against a baseline play. It might be time to focus on individual defensive awareness and technique.

Less movement does not equal not being defensively aware. Zone defenders still need to be accountable to knowing where the shooters are and other key players respective to their areas of responsibility on the court.

Condenses Defenders

A reduction in the space between defenders is also another benefit of implementing a zone defence against a baseline out-of-bounds play. Baseline plays nearly always have a theme of creating a shooting opportunity if the X’s and O’s play out right. For a majority of these players the primary and secondary scoring options happen around or in the keyway. Employing a zone defence brings players into the keyway and floods this area of the court with bodies. Provided players look to shut down passing lanes by being active in defence they should be able to reduce the margin for an opportunity to occur.

One of the constant problems with this line of thinking concerning a zone defence is that individual defenders still need to be active. Too many times a team switches to a zone defence, and then the individuals fail to remain active and disciplined in employing defensive principles. Using a zone defence is not about resting individuals, it is just a different tactic.

Rebounding

Player’s proximity to the basket will decrease in a zone defence. This must be seen as an advantage for players to initiate and establish defensive positioning when rebounding. Again, this is reliant on players taking up this advantage and not seeing it is a fore gone conclusion that because they are closer to the basket they are entitled to the ball.

A zone defence can be very effective against a particularly potent offense generated when inbounding from the baseline. The zone defence can also be used as a way of bluffing a team into setting up in their zone offense before changing to man-to-man. This can be a useful strategy during an inbound to help players match-up and slow the tempo at which the offense is running.

The Individual Defensive Keyway Drill is a good activity for having players practice the fundamental skill of the defensive slide. Compact in layout, the drill looks to promote activity and repetition while using only a confined space. Perfect for those coaches working with multiple teams in very close proximity. The Individual Defensive Keyway Drill looks to work on the technique of a player’s defensive slide while also varying the angle and line of movement.

When performed at a low intensity the Individual Defensive Keyway Drill can be used as a warm-up activity. However, the activity can also be used as a way to work players on their conditioning. High repetitions and intensity helps make the mundane simplicity of the drill challenging and ongoing. If used sporadically as an activity the Individual Defensive Keyway Drill can be a sort and sharp refocusing tool on the technique of player’s defensive footwork, hand positioning and overall sliding ability.

The Individual Defensive Keyway Drill starts with Athletes start lined up along baseline.

Individual Defensive Keyway Drill Diagram 1

Players will enter the court at the short corner. Athletes face baseline and defensive slide across key way to double block. The athletes drop step and defensive slide to elbow.

After exiting the keyway athletes’ then closeout to the coach who is positioned at the short corner.

Athletes then mirror the ball and maintain spear hand principles, following which they rejoin the line.

Points of Emphasis

Players must maintain low and wide stance

All players must carry hands at all times when on the floor

Quick footwork at the change of direction

Players must sprint to the close-out

During close-out the player must not come out of a stance, but remain low and ready to shift body weight on change of direction of the ball handler

When closing out two hands contest the shot before collapsing into mirroring position

Variations:

Athletes can change form open to closed defensive stance.

Two lines can be used so players must navigate the keyway while traffic is within the confined space

The Individual Defensive Keyway Drill looks to promote quick and sharp footwork. Players who do not display these characteristics will soon, with some work be better prepared for the demands of defensive work.

Sometimes as a coach, you just want your players to play and the 1 v 1 Turn and Play Offensive Drill is great for that very purpose. The drill helps with both the individual offensive and defensive skills of players. Pushing players to rely on their own ability to create and make shots close to the basket while under heavy pressure. From the defensive perspective the 1 v 1 Turn and Play Offensive Drill forces defenders to work harder to challenge an easier shot from any already short-range position.

The strength of this drill is across a couple of areas. The first is the ability to apply pressure to both the offensive and defensive players. As mentioned earlier with the ball starting within the keyway the assumption for most people would be that the offense would have a sizeable advantage. This however creates pressure on the offensive player to actually fulfil that belief. Anything less than a score results in not being able to make the easy play.

This is the opposite for defenders who are focused on making the easy position’s advantage reduced by challenging every shot to force the mistake. If the offensive player scores, in the defenders mind it is that they did not take away the advantage. With this simplistic view, the drill becomes a good source of focus for defenders. There is no help defence, just a one on one situation.

Another key benefit from the 1 v 1 Turn and Play Offensive Drill is that it provides a high number of repetitions in a very short amount of time. Because the start of the drill is in or around the keyway, the time which is wasted between repetitions can be kept to a minimum. What compounds this benefit of a high repetition count is the game like scenario created.

The 1 v 1 Turn and Play Offensive Drill starts with two players under the basket. One player on offense (One) and the other on defence (Two).

1 v 1 Turn and Play Offensive Drill Diagram 1

One (1) will start with the ball. One (1) throws the ball out in front of them so it lands somewhere near the edge of the keyway. One (1) needs to put an amount of backspin on the ball so it remains within the three-point line.

As soon as the ball is released One (1) moves to secure the ball and pivot to face up to the basketball hoop.

Two (2) follows in the footsteps of One (1) ready to meet the pivot by the offensive player with considerable pressure.

1 v 1 Turn and Play Offensive Drill Diagram 2

From this point, once One (1) has caught the ball and pivoted towards the basket the 1 v 1 Turn and Play Offensive Drill becomes “live”.

Points of Emphasis

The defensive player must look to apply pressure to One (1). With the drill starting so close to the basket there is really no option to contain only by backing off.

The offensive players should look to develop a sequence of moves in helping to score no matter the situation. Shooting, a strong onside dribble move and then finally a counter move are all aspects that should be developed to help One (1) become a better all-round player.

Play until either the offensive player scores or the defender secures possession.

Boxing-out is important and should be emphasised at every opportunity

The 1 v 1 Turn and Play Offensive Drill is a useful drill for building upon technical skills often needing to be developed by players. These technical skills can sometimes be practiced without leading to a competitive drill situation. The 1 v 1 Turn and Play Offensive Drill provides this opportunity for players to gain a high number of repetitions coupled with a quality competitive situation. The drill can be implemented following a technical breakdown activity to provide excellent scaffolding and drill progression.

The Hook Shot is a very beneficial skill for interior players to acquire. The Hook Shot provides a Technique that is effective in scoring while also being difficult to defend against if performed correctly. This is especially valuable for those players who find themselves undersized in and around the keyway. The Hook Shot can be used from in the keyway, but as the individual becomes more and more confident as well as competent, this range can be extended to around the perimeter of keyway itself.

The Hook shot is a challenging skill for new users, as it must have each individual step performed well at the risk of losing the techniques effectiveness completely.

The Hook Shot hand position is demonstrated perfectly here. The interior arm has separated from the ball, but continues to be carried at head height shield the ball. The outside arm is fully extended with the hand flicking the ball up, over and down into the basket (Photo Source: U.S. Army)

Initially start a player side on, rather than back to the basket; if you draw a line through both shoulders this should point directly to the middle of the hoop. Less movement from the side on position will help simplify the technique

Player’s feet should be slight wider then shoulder width apart; this will help with balance once linked to initial back to the basket moves, help create stability so the player cannot be pushed out of position and help with elevation in the jump

Player should start in a squatting position, knees bent to ninety degrees, back straight and shoulders back; this will help with balance and jumping

A player should turn their head over the interior shoulder to see the basket at all times; once side on to the basket the post player must turn their head to see both the defender and basket

Ball should be held with both hands on the hip furthest away from the basket; this helps create three points of contact (two hands and hip) which will improve control. This position also ensures the ball is also at the furthest point away from the defender. Additionally, the shoulder closest to the basket because of the arm stretched across the body to the opposite hip will dip slightly making for a more effective bumping position as it is braced against the torso.

Hip, Shoulder, Ear and Extended; the line that the ball should travel will be that of straight up the furthest side of the body. Using two hands the ball will start on the hip, maintaining two handed contact the ball is raided to the shoulder. The ball is then raised further with the two hands to the height of the ear, before being released by the interior hand and the outside arm now fully extending with the hand flicking the ball up and over, down into the basket.

Jump; as the ball reaches the ear position, the offensive player must now jump harnessing that coiled strength and power through their legs to help elevate themselves up and over a defender. This helps in making the Hook Shot that much harder to block

Hand to Elbow; Once the inside hand releases from the arm closest to the basket, it then fills the role of shielding the ball from the defender. This arm cannot be extended outside of a players cylinder or used as an offensive push, it can be used to interfere with the defenders attempt to block or disrupt the Hook Shot. The interior arm should be continued to remain at the high a little above the head (with the hand in line with the elbow of the outside arm once fully extended). This will ensure the defender cannot jump across the offensive player if performed correctly. So the arm must be kept strong and not allowed to be dropped or pushed out of position by a would be defender.

Rotation: As the two hands separate off the ball and the interior arm moves into a shielding role, the hips of the offensive player be slight rotated towards the basket. This has a number of benefits. Firstly is allows for more control by the offensive player in pushing the ball towards the basket. Secondly, this movement will allow the interior shoulder to be wedged into the torso of the defender effectively pinning the player away from the ball. The rotation should only be a few degrees and should not result in the post player landing and now facing the basket with their chest completely front on the hoop

Trouble Shooting

Players performing a Hook Shot must maintain a lower centre of gravity at all times until the jump. It is not uncommon for players to bounce during the reception and footwork in the lead-up to the Hook Shot. This causes players to raise their stance and can result in a weakness being created that could mean a player is more easily pushed out of form or away from the intended shooting area.

An explosive effort must be applied to the footwork and lead-up to the jump off for the Hook Shot. Too often, the drop step that leads to the jump-stop of the Hook Shot is performed slowly and awkwardly. Once the movement is initiated for the start of the movement into the desired position for the Hook Shot, the post player must remain strong and compact so they can generate maximum exploitive effort for the jump following the jump stop.

If catching and looking to pivot into the Hook Shot, the discipline to maintain a low, wide stance also serves to help create elevation as this is the harder of movements from which to create a good scoring position.

The Hook Shot looks to create a good shooting position not by speed or athletic ability alone. The technique focuses on creating advantage out of limited space in situations that are often high-pressure scenarios. To be effective a player must be able to perform all the technical steps of a Hook Shot while still having pressure maintained by the defence. Close defensive pressure once the fundamental technique is mastered will help the offensive player refine their skill and perform the Hook Shot better than if they only practice in 1 v 0 situations.

The Hook Shot is a vital skill for interior or post players to have within their skills set. It should be remembered though, that the skill is advanced in nature and is best left to those players who have developed good special awareness, strength in body positioning and footwork around the keyway. The introduction of the Hook Shot too early can slow down a post players development with relation to other skills needed to play the position.